Things to Do in Willowmore

The breath-taking Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve is one of the Cape Floral Region Protected Areas, collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Covering roughly 200-square kilometres of pristine mountainous terrain, the ‘Valley of the Baboons’, is one of the largest wilderness conservation areas in South Africa. Just 120 kilometres west of Port Elizabeth, this awesome wilderness playground has much to offer nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. The eastern side of the reserve starts at the Komdomo Campsite. From here the road winds 250 kilometres through the incredibly scenic and craggy Groot River Port towards Willowmore in the west. A paradise for adventurous and active types, the vast mountainous landscape offers a unique wilderness experience with a plethora of things to do. These include rock climbing, mountaineering, camping, wildlife viewing, mountain biking, fishing, scenic drives, bird watching and 4x4 trails. The diverse habitats support over 1,000 different plant species including the striking Erica and Protea families as well as ancient cycads. The reserve is also home to more than 50 mammal species, 300 bird species and numerous reptiles and amphibians. A state-of-the-art World Heritage Site Interpretive Centre overlooking the Cambria Valley showcases the diversity and natural and cultural history of the Baviaanskloof region.

Lying inland and north of Nature's Valley is the relatively undiscovered Formosa Nature Reserve. Most travellers to the Garden Route cling to the lovely coastline and miss the beautiful wildness of the Tsitsikamma Mountain range. But if you’re after the solitude of a pristine reserve that is seldom disturbed, look no further. You can spend days exploring this long stretch of wilderness that lies between the Tsitsikamma National Park, Nature's Valley, and the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area. There are no formal hiking trails in the 5 0000-hectare reserve – just lots of lovely footpaths to discover the stunning mountain forest and wet fynbos. Abundant bird life draws twitchers from far beyond the limits of Kareedouw and Misgund, the Klein Karoo villages on either side of the park. Don’t miss one of the reserve’s major attractions – trek up the famous Formosa Peak to summit the highest pinnacle in the Tsitsikamma Mountains.

Bramon Wine Estate is a boutique vineyard named after the Thorpes’ children Bram and Manon. Being the first Wine Estate this far east in the Western Cape, Bramon has broken new ground by pioneering vineyards in the Plettenberg Bay area.Producing a superior Sauvignon Blanc ‘cap classique’ sparkling wine, the first and only to be produced in the country, Plettenberg Bay has subsequently been classified as a wine of origin region. A coup for the area!Other wine farms have subsequently started up and the Garden Route’s own ‘Sparkling Wine Route’ is now underway.Bramon Methode Cap Classique is a dry brut with the delicate characteristics of it’s cultivar. Green grass and asparagus with granny smith apple aromas and a zesty lingering lime finish. The addition of ‘The Crags,’ a beautiful still Sauvignon with a granadilla and passion fruit nose has added to the Bramon range. New cultivars planted are increasing the range and uniqueness Bramon has become synonymous with and will be vinified in the cellar currently being built. Vukani Empowerment wines are a hand selected collection of local cultivars. Vukani means ‘wake up’ in isiXhosa and supports developing farmers in the Plettenberg Bay area. A percentage of these sales go to The Vukani Trust which helps establish and train previously dis-advantaged farmers in the fields of viticulture and wine making where they have been awarded diplomas in their area of expertise.Land has now been secured around Kurland Village, the Crags’ Township, where they will establish vineyards under the mentorship of Bramon Wines for the Vukani Cellars. This will not only ensure an income for the community but also promote a sustainable, environmentally sound lifestyle for the area as a whole.Vukani and Bramon are committed to the upliftment, education and improvement of the community and further projects are in the pipeline.

Birds of Eden is the Garden Route’s very own world class free flight bird sanctuary. Boasting the largest dome on the planet, the unique two hectare dome spans over a gorge of indigenous forest. The sanctuary has its own mysterious ruin, which incorporates a walk-behind waterfall. Another feature is its amphitheatre, which has the ability to seat over 200 visitors.Like Monkeyland, the popular primate sanctuary next-door, Birds of Eden features a canopy walk. Slightly shorter than the 128 meter bridge at Monkeyland, it is higher and hangs above the clouds. The decision to develop Birds of Eden stems from the need to create a safe environment in which to release a large collection of free-flight African birds and miniature monkeys. The sanctuary also enables bird owners to apply to release their pet birds into the sanctuary, after undergoing rehabilitation.Birds of Eden opened its doors to the public December 2005. Currently over 3500 birds live at the sanctuary.

One of the most popular and heartwarming places to visit along the Garden Route is Monkeyland. This unique sanctuary endeavors to rehabilitate and free previously caged primates into a harmonious forest environment.Entry to Monkeyland is free – this entitles you to spend time on the forest deck, which also doubles as a restaurant named The Blue Monkey Cafe. Primates moving about the forest are always seen and heard from the deck. An amazing thing to do is go on a monkey safari with one of the rangers (for which there is a fee).These walking safaris take visitors into the forest where the primates are free roaming. The rangers will track the primates and impart interesting information about them, the forest and anything else you come across. Part of the safari route takes you across the 128 meter canopy walk which rises above the forest canopy for a birds’ eye view of this primate paradise. The safaris last an hour and depart from reception each half hour. The tours depart daily, every half hour and are open-ended which means that you can go on more than one tour on the same day. Safari guides are multi-lingual. German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, French, Xhosa, Swedish and Finnish tours can be arranged by contacting Lara 082 979 5683 lara@monkeyland.co.za

Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre offers guests the opportunity for a close, safe, inter-active encounter with indigenous cats of South Africa. Guests will meet leopard, cheetahs, caracal, Serval, African wild cats and black-footed cats. The Tenikwa encounter is a great follow-on to a game reserve or safari experience to study these beautiful creatures at close quarters. Tenikwa also has a Meerkat Meander where visitors can see meerkats and tortoises and there is also a variety of indigenous waterfowl, Blue Cranes and Marabou Storks to delight bird watchers. Programs include one hour guided tours and cheetah walks. Entrance fees fund Tenikwa’s NPO Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release Programme. Open 09:00 – 17:00 daily 365 days a year, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Amenities include a tea garden for light meals, parking, wheelchair friendly, Mothers Corner and liquor licence. +27 (0) 44 534 8170 +27 (0) 82 486 1515 info@tenikwa.co.za www.tenikwa.co.za

Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment. Plett's Barnyard Theatre is where it all comes together. The Barnyard started as a homely, rustic farm theatre right in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning. It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country. There are currently twelve Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning. Arrive well before curtain up, bring your own picnic basket supper and enjoy your meal around heavy wooden tables in the warm atmosphere of this unique barnyard theatre. Sip some wine, kick back and be entertained. Teas, coffees and scrumptious cakes are available. Booking Office: +27 (0) 44 533 5432 Cell: 082 973 1246 (enquiries)

Get your grey matter going at Plett Puzzle Park! Situated in the heart of the beautiful Garden Route among blue mountains and rolling fields, Plett Puzzle Park will entertain the whole family.Plett Puzzle Park features the first life size 3-D Maze in South Africa, as well as an exciting Forest Puzzle Walk which meanders through the natural forest, and a fun Rope Maze for the kids. Plett is more than just the beach This is a place for visitors of all ages to exercise their bodies and minds in an entertaining, educational and affordable way – no more boring days when not on the beach! Light refreshments are available in a lovely garden setting, and the Puzzle Gift Shop has games and puzzles for all ages. Don't forget to wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat!

Five… four… three… Experience the extreme thrill of the highest commercial bungy jump bridge in the world. So you’re brave enough? After being secured in a full body harness, you walk along a 200-metre catwalk suspended beneath the road surface. This gets you to the place where it all happens – the top of the arch – 216 metres above the Bloukrans River! Not into plunging headfirst? Try the exhilarating zip across the gorge on a 200-metre Flying Fox cable slide (foofie slide in South Africa speak). This takes you to the top of the arch where you can watch all the action. For the less fearless you can walk along the catwalk to the top of the arch from where you look out over the gorge to the mountains and the sea in the distance.

This ‘must do’ for any serious hiker leads through alternating indigenous afromontane forest and mountain fynbos landscapes. Self-guided and self-catering, hikers need to be well prepared for six days in the wilderness. Tsitsikamma Hiking Trail leads into a hiking paradise of deep ravines, valleys with crystal clear mountain streams and exquisite swimming pools contrast with the backdrop of endless mountains fading into the distance. The 60 km trail starts at Nature’s Valley and finishes at the Storms River Bridge, mostly passing through the heart of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. Two, three, four or five day options are possible by means of vehicle access to all five overnight huts. A ‘slack-packing’ option allows hikers to walk comfortably with only their day packs. Many fine old Outeniqua yellowwood trees tower up into the sky. Wildlife that is frequently seen on the trail includes bushbuck, baboon, vervet monkey, genet and bushpig. If you’re lucky you may spot elusive leopard, honey badger serval, caracal, and the rare blue duiker. Look out for unusual forest and fynbos birds such as Narina trogon, sombre bulbul, rameron pigeon, sunbirds, forest buzzards, and flycatchers.

Take time out in an unspoiled wilderness playground near Plettenberg Bay. The Coca-Cola coloured water lapping the soft sandy beach beckon further exploration into the upper reaches of the Keurbooms River. Time seems to stand still in the pristine forest of towering Outeniqua yellowwood, Cape beech, giant stinkwood, keurboom and ironwood trees. Indigenous plants cling precariously to the cliff faces. Beyond the woodland agapanthus, arum lilies, bracken, pelargonium and numerous fynbos species proliferate. Rewarding sightings of Cape clawless otter, mongoose, caracal, genet, baboon, vervet monkey, bushpig, dassie, blue duiker, bushbuck, grysbok and the occasional leopard are not uncommon. Twitchers will be able to tick off numerous species of forest-, fynbos-, mountain- and river-dwelling birds. Look out for the Knysna lourie, malachite kingfisher, giant kingfisher, Narina Trogan, fish eagle, white-breasted cormorant, African darter, reed cormorant, yellow-billed duck, little grebe, hamerkop, black-headed oriole, Cape batis, Knysna woodpecker and dazzling sunbirds. Hike along the river bank or paddle upstream in a canoe for a tranquil commune with nature. Beyond the 4 km mark, power boats are prohibited. All you will hear further up this unspoilt gorge is the faint sounds of the forest and spirited chorus of birdsong. Permits for the reserve, one-hour hiking trail and boating on the river are available at the entrance.

The starting point for this stunning trail is Diepwalle Forest Station, situated 23 km north of Knysna along the Uniondale road. If you don't have time to walk the entire trail, the route can be done in three sections. Each is colour coded for easy identification, with the shortest route of 6.5 km, Elephant Walk III, marked with red elephant motifs and black on yellow arrows. Prepare to be seduced by big trees, fungi, tree ferns, lichens, pretty tumbling streams and forest birds! Diepwalle is an awesome rainforest and is the refuge of a tiny remnant of the famous and highly secretive Knysna elephants. It was thought that only a solitary elderly cow remained but recent research has found that there may be seven or more. The circular red route is fairly easy and follows a short section of the Outeniqua Hiking Trail and passes two gigantic Outeniqua Yellowwood trees that are over 600 years. Elephant Walk I (black) is 9 km and Elephant Walk II (white) is 8 km. Along with 30 m high yellowwoods, other trees to spot are stinkwood, ironwood, white pear, and Cape holly. Birds to look out for are the Narina trogon, red-billed wood hoopoe, olive woodpecker, black-headed oriole and the Knysna turaco (loerie). Vervet monkeys can often be seen clambering in the tree tops. Permits are obtained at the Diepwalle Forest Station office. Grab a map and tree identification list (various trees are numbered). There is a lovely tea room here – the scones go down well after tripping through the woods.

The Goose Valley Golf Course is situated only 2km from Plettenberg Bay towards Port Elizabeth and bordering on the stunning Keurbooms Lagoon.Set in pristine surroundings, this magnificent estate offers a Gary Player designed 72 par, 18 hole golf course in the heart of the Garden Route. Golfers will experience breathtaking views of the lagoon, the ocean and the Tsitsikamma Mountains, as also the beauty of the natural fynbos, trees and an abundance of animal and bird life.Need to know? Eighteen holes Length: Men 6048m Ladies 4992m Designer: Gary Player Design Company Par / Rating: 72/70Visitors Conditions: soft spikes only Grass: Kikuya fairways, bent greens. Golf carts for hire, halfwayhouse, golf clubs for hire, Pro-shop, strictly no caddies allowed. Visitors fees on request.

Looking for hip and unusual things to do on the Garden Route? Segway Off-Road ECO-Tours offer guided tours on a Segway Personal Transporter, a great way to see the outdoors. The Segway Personal Transporter is easy and safe to use. Before each tour, guests receive a thorough orientation from an experienced trainer. Tours pass through the quaint Storms River Village, into the Tsitsikamma pine forest and over the historical Witteklip Bridge. Booking is essential. www.segwaytours.co.za

This scenic ride offers 22 kilometres of wonderful riding through forest and mountain fynbos. Suitable for families, the undemanding trail mostly follows comfortable contours in the plantation and indigenous forest. Starting from Storms River Village along the old Storms River Pass, the trail takes cyclists over the low water bridge over the Storms River. This will get you to the awesome viewpoint of Storms River Mouth in the Tsitsikamma National Park. From this point you have the choice of cycling back on the same route or walking with your bike down to the suspension bridge. Mountain bike hire: Mild2Wild Adventure Centre +27 (0)42 281 1054

The Market Square layout is a strip mall with a wide selection of shops and restaurants.There are two supermarkets stocked with food and fresh produce, clothing and home-ware. Another 53 shops offer a comprehensive range of quality goods to satisfy the most discerning shopper.

Climb aboard Ocean Rhythm and explore the beautiful Plettenberg Bay coastline. Experience the power of the wind in the sails and the sound of the ocean lapping at the bows. Spot whales, dolphins and seals at play in breathtaking surroundings. Take the helm and learn the basics of sailing, put out a line and see what bites or kick back, glass of bubbly in hand. This Knysna-built 44 foot sailing catamaran offers a high level of luxury, comfort and space. Options include sunset cruises, day cruises, overnight charters, fishing, and exclusive parties and functions. For more info contact 082 881 2937.

Explore Plettenberg Bay’s stunning coastline looking for whales, dolphins, seals, sharks, seabirds and other marine life from a twin-hull ski boat. Ocean Safaris offer exciting whale and dolphin watching trips guided by knowledgeable qualified skippers. They are permitted to conduct close encounters with whales and are Fair Trade accredited. Pop in to their interesting office in Hopwood Street to find out more. You'll find a warm welcome, reconstructed skeletons, whalebones, free Internet and coffee.

If you’re travelling with kids on the Garden Route, wing them straight to Radical Raptors. Guaranteed to thrill the kids, a visit to Radical Raptors bird of prey sanctuary is a fun educational experience suitable for the whole family. Time your visit to coincide with the flying displays that take place three times a day. Several trained birds of prey are free flown around and to you. This presents a wonderful opportunity for you to watch, interact and photograph these amazing birds in the outdoors. Radical Raptors is a non-profit organisation and rehabilitation centre that focuses on community awareness and the rescue, rehabilitation and release of birds of prey. +27 (0) 44 532 7537 Show times – 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 Closed on Mondays except public and school holidays.

Founded in 1994, and the first of its kind in South Africa, the Knysna Elephant Park provides a home for orphaned elephants and offers visitors a glimpse of a bygone era when vast elephant herds once roamed. Join the elephants in their controlled free-range environment where you will be able to appreciate their magnificent presence up-close-and-personal. Whether you chose a daily tour, elephant back ride; exclusive safari or overnight accommodation; this is an experience that will stay with you forever. The Knysna Elephant Park is open every day of the year. Guided daily tours take you to the elephants every half hour from 08:30 to 16:30. Here you will have the opportunity to touch, feed and photograph these gentle giants. There are no barriers or fences to spoil your close encounter, and when the elephants chose to wander off again into the field, you are welcome to walk with them and watch them for as long as you wish. Elephant back rides offer the once in a lifetime opportunity to sit atop these incredible creatures. As you traverse through indigenous Cape fynbos, you will enjoy spectacular views of the Outeniqua Mountain range. Booking is essential.